Rail spike



May 22, 1923. 1,456,363

H. o. CRIPPJEN RAIL SPIKE Original File d Feb. 5, 1921 I a? l I l5 4 I INVENTOR Patented May 22, 1923.

UNITED HERBERT 0. onrrrnngor J-AoksonvILLnrLoaInAf BAIL sritKnW" Application filed February 5, isensria No. 449,727. Renewed Mac $1923.,

To all whom it may concern. I

' Beit known thatI, HER ERT O. CRIPr N, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of .Duval and State of Florida, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Rail Spikes, of which the following is a specification. r v This invention relates to an anchoring device for spikes, and more particularly to an improvement over they spike shown in my co-pending application for patent filedjSleptember 11, 1920, Serial No.4:09.519, and has for its primary object the provision of means for mechanically locking the element in active position and further to hold the element and spike against relative movement in the initial driving of the spike.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby the spike is more elfectively he d in an active position.

With these and other objects in view the invention will be betterv understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the anchoring device in active position.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the element about to be forced to its active position with the rail.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another form of my invention.

Fig. 4: is a rear elevation of that ,form of my invention shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views along the lines 6-6 and 77 of Figure 5.

Again referring to the drawing illustrating two forms of my invention and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2. The numeral 1 designates a spike formed with a pocket 2, and a rib 3 at one side of the pocket. The numeral 1 designates an arouate seat formed at the termination of the rib. The anchoring element- 5 has a lug 6 ful crumed on the seat and has one end formed into a head portion 7 andthe other end into 4, so that the head portion moves in one direction, and the shank portion in the opposite direction for penetration into the rail PATENT I tie. The elementlcan be desired andsnugly receivedin, the pocket and liesjflush with the "surface of the rib 3,

so as not to interfere with the driving of the spike.

.An important feature of my invention isthe. arrangement ofthe shoulder 12fwhic h i is adapted to slip slightly under the base 11 when the spike is completely driven there},

by locking P the element and spikeflag'ainst re1n )val. Avery important feature locking the spike and element againstany movement at all, a tight fit is. assured thereby preventing water or moisture from enterlng between the splke, element andtie which. would cause the rottening act-ion,

which greatly shortens the life of the tie.

Thus it will be seen that the increase in life: of the tie will more than the anchoring device.

To prevent dislocation of the anchoring element and also the proper positioning of the element in the initial driving of the pay, for the cost of i i i i spike, I provide a clip 13 which can be of i any construction of any material but for the purpose of illustration is shown as a thin band of metal that may be readily rup-- tured when the cam surface 10 beginsto act upon the rail base. v

In the remaining views I have provided an anchoring element 14 which has a continuous cam surface 15 and is not provided'with theshoulder 12. This construction enables an effective grip between the spike and the tie but allows the spike to be removed with a suitable instrument. lockingthis form of'lockingelement in an '90- I i For the purpose of active position, the head portion 16 is'forme'd. i with a hole 17 for the reception of the ta'pering pin 18. It is driven into the holeand engages behind the shank of the spike thereby preventing accidental movement ofthe element. To complete the invention Iprovide teeth 19 along the shank-portion 20 of the element. At this point I wish to call attention to the fact that the pin 18 may be of various other constructions than illustrated and associated with the spike in other man- 7 ners. From the foregoing description taken in connection w th the accompanying drawings it will be seen that-I provide a spike and a in the claims hereunto appended;

Having thus described my invention what 1. In combination with a spike, an anchoring element having a-swingmg connectionwith the spikeand having a cam head POI'tlOIiIDOVlIlg in one direction by a cam ac- I tion witha rail, and having a penetrating shank portion moving in an opposite directionfor engagement with a tie, and a clip for preventing relative movements of the spike and element'in the initial driving ofi thespike. 1 Y

2. In combination with aspike having a crumed on said seat whereby the opposite ends of the element may swing in opposite direction by a cam action with the rail in the driving of a spike, and a clip for preventing relative movements of the spike and elements in the initial driving of the spike.

3. In combination with a spikehaving a seat, an anchoring element'having a lug fulcrumed on saidseat whereby the opposite 'endsof'the element may swing inopposite direction by a camaction with the rail in the I driving of a spike, and'a clip forpreventing relative movements of the spike and element in the initial driving of the spike, and a lockseat, an anchoring element having a lug fuling member for the element when the spike has been further driven.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. HERBERT 'O. CRIPPEN. 

